Seahawks to open minicamp unsure whether Marshawn Lynch will attend

Originally published June 16, 2014 at 8:53 pm
Updated June 17, 2014 at 11:15 am

The Seahawks open their three-day minicamp Tuesday with one overriding question — will Marshawn Lynch show?

That is hardly the only curiosity, however, as the Seahawks take to the field for the last time before opening training camp in late July. Three items worth watching the next three days:

1) Will Marshawn Lynch show?

No one seems to know for sure. While Lynch is known to want changes to a contract that pays him $10.5 million in base salary the next two years, including $5 million in 2014, neither he nor anyone in his camp has yet to say publicly what he plans to do. As of Monday afternoon, it also was thought that Lynch had yet to tell the team anything, and there were as many rumors he might show up as there were that he will not. There have even been rumors he might be considering retiring.

Lynch is thought to want more upfront money in case the team releases him after this season, as many have speculated could happen. He turned 28 in April and the team already has a succession plan in place with Christine Michael and Robert Turbin on the roster. Those two got all the reps as Lynch skipped the Organized Team Activities.

But it’s also thought the team has no intention of budging, not wanting to set the precedent of altering deals it has made with its own players. The current contract is one Lynch signed in 2012.

If Lynch doesn’t show for a camp that is mandatory (unlike the nine OTAs the past three weeks), he risks being fined almost $70,000.

And if he doesn’t show, few around the team will worry much — for now. There are no concerns he won’t stay in shape and be ready for the start of the season, and his teammates appear supportive.

Defensive end Michael Bennett said during his regular weekly appearance on the NFL Network on Monday morning, “Without Marshawn, we wouldn’t win a Super Bowl. Obviously he’s one of the best running backs in the game and he feels like he should be paid like one of the best backs in the game. Of course, I agree with him.’’

2) How will the defensive line shake out with the addition of Kevin Williams?

The Seahawks on Monday announced the signing of Williams, a 12-year veteran who made six Pro Bowls during his time with the Minnesota Vikings.

Williams is expected to compete for time at both tackle spots, where the projected starters are Brandon Mebane (nose tackle) and Tony McDaniel (defensive tackle), possibly filling the utility role held last year by Clinton McDonald, who signed in the offseason with Tampa Bay.

Seattle has a bevy of young linemen working at the tackle spots, notably 2013 draftees Jordan Hill and Jesse Williams, Greg Scuggs and 2014 fourth-round choice Cassius Marsh (all of whom can also play end).

3. Which young players will emerge?

Standouts of the OTAs included some of the young players who missed last season due to injury, notably linebacker Korey Toomer and cornerback Tharold Simon.

Toomer, who plays primarily strongside linebacker, looks like he has a legit chance to get into the rotation. Same with Simon, battling for a backup cornerback spot.

The team hopes to get another good look at receiver Paul Richardson, the team’s first choice in the 2014 draft. Richardson had good initial workouts in OTAs before banging his shoulder and sitting out at the end. Coach Pete Carroll indicated Richardson will be back for minicamp.

To make room on the 90-man roster, the Seahawks released free-agent quarterback Keith Price from Washington and defensive end Kenneth Boatright.

Williams agreed to terms last week, but did not sign his deal until Monday.

Bronson, a Kentwood High grad who spent two years at Washington before completing his career at Eastern Washington, tried out for the team during its rookie minicamp last month.

Price, the starter at UW the past three years, was one of the first undrafted free agents the Seahawks signed following the draft last month. But he was one of five QBs on Seattle’s roster and got few snaps during team sessions of the OTAs. Seattle has four QBs on its roster — Russell Wilson, Tarvaris Jackson, Terrelle Pryor and B.J. Daniels.